DRDO hands over air defence missile (MRSAM) System to IAF

• Air defence missile (MRSAM) System has been developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
• MRSAM provides against aerial threats like fighter aircraft, UAVs, guided and unguided munitions & cruise missiles
• MRSAM is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kilometres
• Indigenously developed rocket motor & control system for achieving high manoeuvrability State-of-the-art missile system

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India's defence capabilities, the first deliverable Firing Unit (FU) of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) System was handed over to Indian Air Force (IAF) in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Air Force Station, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan on September 09, 2021. The MRSAM (IAF) is an advanced network-centric combat Air Defence System developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with the Indian industry comprising of private and public sectors including MSMEs.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy handed over the first deliverable Firing Unit to Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria in the presence of the Defence Minister. During the event, DRDO and IAI officials demonstrated the capabilities of the MRSAM system, as part of the On-Site Acceptance Test (OSAT).

In his address, Rajnath Singh lauded the joint efforts of DRDO, IAI, various inspection agencies, public & private industry partners in developing, what he termed, one of the best state-of-the-art missile systems in the world. "With the handing over of MRSAM system to IAF, we have taken a giant leap towards achieving 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' as envisioned by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will prove to be a game-changer in the air-defence system," he said.

Stressing on the need for a strong military, Singh said Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the security and overall development of the country. He listed out the measures taken by the Government, including setting up of Defence Industrials Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board; notification of two positive indigenisation lists of over 200 items to increase exports and Transfer of Technology (ToT) by DRDO to the private sector.

The Minister said that India will soon become self-reliant in defence manufacturing as well as a global manufacturing hub of defence systems.

Singh described the development of the MRSAM system as a shining example of the close partnership between India and Israel, adding that handing over the system to IAF has taken this decades-old friendship to greater heights. It has played an important role in strengthening the defence industrial base of India and Israel, he added. On the creation of new test facilities and infrastructure in the development of this programme, Rajnath Singh said it will be helpful in producing quality products for both countries in the future. He termed the sub-systems being manufactured for this programme as a great example of synergy between Indian public and private sector companies.

On the occasion, the Minister remembered former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, terming him a visionary who paved the way for self-reliance in the defence sector, especially in the missile development programme. He said around 30 years ago Dr Kalam initiated the Integrated Missile Development Programme at a time when scientists were facing various restrictions in the field of technology.

The MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against a wide range of threats including fighter aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, guided and unguided munitions, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles etc. It is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 km in severe saturation scenarios. The missile is powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system for achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.

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The firing unit comprises of Missiles, Combat Management System (CMS), Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Advanced Long Range Radar, Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), Reloader Vehicle (RV) and Field Service Vehicle (FSV).

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, AOC-in-C SWAC Air Marshal Sandeep Singh and President & IAI CEO Boaz Levy and other senior civil & military officials were also present on the occasion.

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